Symptoms
Due every 15,000 miles under severe use (towing, roof loads, heavy loading) per the maintenance chart; otherwise inspect. Many owners do an early break-in change.
The fix, step by step
- Remove the skid plates (12 mm, eight bolts).
- Always loosen the fill plug before the drain.
- Front: 10 mm hex plugs; refill with 75W-85 GL-5 to about 1.4 qt (part-time 4WD) or 1.3 qt (full-time); drain 48 ft-lb, fill 29 ft-lb.
- Rear: 24 mm plugs, about 5.9 qt (6.9 qt on Trailhunter), both 36 ft-lb.
- Crush washers go smooth side toward the housing.
Tools & part numbers
- 10 mm hex bit
- 24 mm socket
- 12 mm socket
- fluid pump
- 6-qt drain pan
- Toyota LT 75W-85 GL-5 (00279-DGOLT-01)
- washers 12157-10010 (front fill, both rear) and 90430-24017 (front drain)
Where to buy the parts
Toyota Differential Gear Oil LT 75W-85 (qt; buy ≈8) (Toyota 00279-DGOLT-01)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Crush washer — front fill, rear drain & fill (need 3) (Toyota 12157-10010)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Crush washer — front diff drain (Toyota 90430-24017)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota 4Runner 6th Gen parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.